Federal Education Association (NEA)

Washington, DC

This is the 2024 fellowship description for this mentor organization. This position has been filled.

FEA(NEA) is the Federal Sector affiliate of the National Education Association, and operates out of the NEA’s DC Headquarters. FEA represents DoD Education Activity (DoDEA) educators employed in the U.S. and all over the world. The FEA is the exclusive representative of educators employed by DoDEA in Pre-k through Grade 12 schools on DoD installations stateside and overseas in Asia and Europe. FEA provides advice, representation and guidance to bargaining unit educators on a diverse array of legal matters under federal labor law and representation. FEA Attorneys also provide training, advice, and guidance to FEA elected leadership.

Caseload will primarily involve independently research and analysis of pending association-level grievances and matters affecting bargaining unit educators. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with seasoned attorneys specializing in union-side labor law, as well as concerns of educators, international treaties and laws affecting the bargaining unit, and labor union concerns such as regulations under the Department of Labor. Clerk will assist attorneys who will provide advice and assistance in disciplinary/adverse actions and with individual grievances filed by bargaining unit employees. Clerk may also assist supervising attorneys in grievance appeals or Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) filings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Work may also include discussions with DoDEA management and coordination with the FEA General Counsel and/or the FEA Deputy General Counsel.

Selected candidate will have the opportunity to work on actual pleadings and litigation documents, in addition to memoranda on legal issues; attend administrative and legal proceedings, if possible; and will have contact with legal professionals and bargaining unit employees.

Qualifications:

  • Pursuing J.D. from an accredited law school;
  • Preference shown to candidates with experience in, or demonstrated substantive knowledge of:
    • Federal sector labor law and arbitration including but not limited to:
    • Federal Labor Management Relations Statute- 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71;
    • Union-side labor arbitration;
    • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Rehabilitation Act;
    • Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA);
    • Merit Service Protection Board (MSPB); and/or
    • DoD regulations pertaining to status of forces agreements, contractors living abroad, and retirement requirements.
  • Written advocacy skills, including brief writing;
  • Ability to complete complex analytical and research assignments;
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, while also being a part of a strong and interdependent team;
  • Self-motivated and able to manage a variety of tasks concurrently;
  • Demonstrated respect for bargaining unit members, colleagues, and supervisors;
  • Flexibility to schedule virtual meetings with educators and elected leaders during non-standard hours to accommodate global time zones;
  • Ability to work from home and travel into the NEA DC Headquarters as required/permitted.

Salary will be $16.10/hour, minimum of $7,000 total. Payment will be made consistent with the rules of the Peggy Browning Fund and applicable laws. Start and end dates are negotiable but would generally run from late May through early August. The legal fellow would follow the FEA's summer hours, which include Fridays off.

Please include two writing samples with your resume, cover letter & essays.

Richard Tarr
Executive Director/General Counsel
Federal Education Assocation (NEA)